By Raynald C Rivera
DOHA: For the first time the Thai Embassy showcased its centuries-old national sport to the Qatari audience during the ‘Muay Thai Roadshow in Qatar’ yesterday at Grand Hyatt Doha.
Seven masters and professional boxers from Thailand flew in to introduce the art and science of Muay Thai or Thai boxing to martial arts aficionados.
“For the past few years the Royal Thai Embassy has organised many cultural events in Qatar to promote various aspects of Thainess.
“These include cultural performances, Thai culinary art and festivals. However, this is the first time we exclusively introduce the art of Muay Thai to the audience in Qatar and definitely this is not going to be the last, looking at the interest we have seen today,” said Thai Ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum.
The origin of Muay Thai dates back hundreds of years as a form of battlefield combat in Thailand.
“Muay Thai has been around in Thailand for many centuries so this is one of our national sports.
‘Muay Thai’ roadshow to visit Kuwait and Oman
“It dates back to a long time ago when we had war with Burma (now Myanmar). In the ancient times, Thai fighters were using Muay Thai to defend the country successfully,” Chaiyindeepum told The Peninsula.
Over the years, Muay Thai has evolved from the battlefield to the ring as a competitive sport popular in many countries as well as a form of workout to achieve physical fitness.
“Muay Thai has been incorporated as physical exercise even in military training. It has been refined and developed, blending with modern boxing but still keeps the features of the ‘art of eight limbs’ which uses the fists, elbows, knees and shins in fighting,” he explained.
Through the event, the Embassy wanted to promote Thai boxing in Qatar as a sport and a form of exercise to keep people fit and prevent lifestyle diseases such as diabetes which has high prevalence in the country, he added.
“With this event we hope to establish Muay Thai as one of the recognised sports in Qatar and one day accepted as one of the competitions in the Olympic Games with great fighters now coming from many countries around the world,” he said.
He congratulated Mutaz Barshim and Qatar Olympic Committee for clinching the silver medal in high jump at Rio Olympic Games.
The roadshow included a short presentation on Muay Thai’s nature, history and its benefits — fitness, stress relief and discipline. The participants learnt techniques used by fighters and how the Wai Kru — a ceremony for Thai boxers to show respect to their masters — is done.
Exhibition matches between professional Thai and local boxers were also held.
The roadshow served as the first leg of a GCC tour which will take the Muay Thai masters and boxers to Kuwait and Oman. The event was co-organised by The Thailand Foundation under the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy, Evolve wellness company and the Grand Hyatt Doha.
The Peninsula
